Film 'Anuraga Sangama' turns 25 today

The film 'Anuraga Sangama', starring Ramesh Arvind, Sudharani, and Kumar Govind, turns 25 today. Loosely based on Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights', 'Anuraga Sangama' was remade in Telugu in 1997 as 'Pelli Pandiri' and later in Tamil as 'Nilave Mugam Kattu' in 1999.
'Anuraga Sangama' was a landmark film for actors Ramesh Arvind and Kumar Govind. For Ramesh Arvind especially, who would then go on to become a superstar in the industry, the film changed the course of his career and gave him several other big opportunities.
Having said so, in all fairness, the real star of 'Anuraga Sangama' is actress Sudharani who was senior to both the male leads at the time for having begun her career much earlier through 'Anand' in 1986 (as the lead actress). In retrospect, 1995 was indeed a great year for Sudharani who also starred in Kodlu Ramakrishna's 'Kavya', a film that set her apart from her peers and gave her longevity in the industry.
'Anuraga Sangama' is remembered even today for the beautiful songs composed by veteran music-director V. Manohar (who also played a small role in the film). The song O Mallige Ninnondige was an instant hit at the time which rendered the film to be a "musical hit" - a title that was significant in terms of audio sales - and also won its singer Ramesh Chandra a state award.
'Anuraga Sangama' was written and directed by V. Umakanth as his very first film. D. Govindappa served as the film's producer and Sundernath Suvarna functioned as its cinematographer.